FINANCIAL experts at Manchester accountancy firm Grant Thornton are used to advising top Premiership footballers on how to handle their riches.

They are now hoping to roll out similar assistance to the stars of the future.

GT currently advises nine first-teamers at Manchester United, including Ryan Giggs, and former Reds stars playing at other Premier League clubs and in Europe.

Its staff provide advice on financial matters such as tax, investments in property and shares, pensions, contracts, image rights and testimonials.

Now they are hoping to help clubs' academy stars as they start their professional playing careers.

Partner Alastair Nuttall said today: "We recognise the financial challenges that result from a comparatively short period of playing income.

"We give players sensible advice to help them create a tax-efficient income, savings and investment structure that will be relevant today but also after their playing careers end, ensuring their futures and those of their families' are secure.

"We have spoken to several people running academies. Players are educated about diet, health and social responsibility, so it seems sensible to include financial management in their academy programmes.

"These are young men who will have a lot of money at their disposal in the not-too-distant future, and they won't know what to do with it unless they receive good advice."